If you suffer from spring
allergies, acupuncture offers a way to both strengthen your body and alleviate
your symptoms without all the side effects of medication.
The temperature outside and
the forecasts for snow make it seem like spring will never arrive. However,
warmer weather will be here before we know it and we’ll all be anxious to get
back to outdoor activities. For many, spring can be a season of misery with
itchy, watery eyes, congestion, sneezing, coughing, and fatigue. Those are just
a few of the symptoms of seasonal allergies. If you suffer in the spring, you
probably reach for the antihistamines once you notice the beginning signs of
allergies. Few of us think about preventative measures during the winter months
when everything is dormant. But now is an ideal time to start acupuncture
treatments to alleviate spring allergies and enjoy the warmer weather once it
arrives.
An allergy is an excessive
reaction by the immune system to a substance that is normally harmless. These
substances are called “allergens.” Typical allergens in the spring include
pollen, ragweed, and mold. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an allergic
reaction is a manifestation of the body’s difficulty to adjust to its
environment. Therefore, we treat the allergic person, not the allergies. From a
TCM point of view, allergies are often due to a deficiency of the Lung and
Liver’s Defensive-Qi systems. The Lung Qi is the first organ to come into
contact with the allergens and, in a weakened state, becomes vulnerable to
them. The Liver Qi helps the body adapt to its environment. If the Liver Qi is
compromised, an exaggerated response to the allergens will occur and you’ll
start to see symptoms like congestion, sneezing, etc. The vitality of the
Spleen Qi and Kidney Qi may also need to be treated, as they directly influence
both the Lung and Liver Qi. Treatment plans are individualized to alleviate
acute symptoms, while addressing the underlying immune system imbalance.
How Does Acupuncture Help? By stimulating the energy of the Lung Qi and regulating
the Liver Qi, acupuncture treatments help calm the exaggerated response to
spring allergens. When your symptoms are not present, treatment will aim to
balance and strengthen the identified disharmonies that contribute to your
allergy issues. Acupuncture treatments have both a preventative and therapeutic
aspect. That’s why early treatment during the winter months can help before symptoms
kick in later. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” really rings
true when treating seasonal allergies with acupuncture.
If you suffer from spring
allergies, acupuncture offers a way to both strengthen your body and alleviate
your symptoms without all the side effects of medication. Don’t spend another
spring missing out on all the outdoor activities you enjoy! Contact Brad Hill Wellness at 301-639-9759 to
schedule your individualized consultation.
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